Weekend Of Events For Memorial Day

May 21, 2009

Memorial Day is almost here, and a three-day weekend is too rare to let it pass by on your couch. This year, you can celebrate our nation's military by snagging a lobster lunch, then heading off to watch some car races.

This weekend, Rotary Club members will serve lobster at Mystic Seaport from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday in celebration of the Seaport's 24th annual Lobster Days on Memorial Day Weekend.

A single lobster meal will cost $21 on top of a Seaport admission ticket, which costs $24 for adults (seaport members will not have to pay for museum admission). Patrons can buy a combination dinner/admission ticket for $39 for adults (ages 18 to 64), $35 for children (ages 6 to 17), and $37 for seniors (65 and older).

Lime Rock Park in Lakeville will feature races of new and classic cars on Saturday and Monday as part of its Road Racing Classic. On Sunday, Lime Rock also will host a charity 5K running race and "mutt strut" dog walk.

The competitions include two Grand Am KONI races that feature a "Fan Walk" where patrons can visit cars and racers in the pit lane half an hour before the race starts. It is split into an ST race - for smaller, sportier cars such as BMW Z4s, Mini Coopers and Honda Civic Sis - at 2:30 p.m., and a GS race - for large-bore cars such as Mustang GTs and Porsche 911s - on Monday at 2 p.m.

Two Grand Prix races of authentic Formula One race cars from the '60s through the '80s will take place Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Monday at 12:45 p.m.

The F2000 Championship Series for modern Formula One cars will race on Saturday at 5:25 p.m. and Monday at 11 a.m.

The cars will be on display in a paddock or holding practice and qualifying runs on the track starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Registration for Sunday's race and dog walk will take place the day of the event. It will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Race registration is $20 and "mutt strut" registration is $10.

Tickets for the races will cost $35 for a single day. Admission is free for children younger than 12. Lime Rock Park is at 60 White Hollow Road. Information: www.limerock.com or call 860-435-5010.

Oddfellows Playhouse of Middletown presents "Hansel and Gretel and the Big Woods" on Friday and Saturday with a cast of young actors between the ages of 9 and 11.

Friday's production is at 7 p.m. and Saturday's is at 11 a.m. Tickets are $5 adults and $3 students (through college) and seniors (aged 65 and older).

The Playhouse is at 128 Washington St. Information: www.oddfellows.org or 860-347-6143.

This Memorial Day weekend, Old Sturbridge Village - a "living history" museum dedicated to early 19th century New England culture - will celebrate "Wool Days," the annual shearing of sheep. Costumed historians will demonstrate the antebellum wool textile process from shearing to carding to spinning and weaving.

The village is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $20 adults, $18 seniors (aged 65 and older), and $7 children 3-17. Children younger than 3 are free. Old Sturbridge Village is at 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, Mass. Information: www.osv.org or call 508-347-3362.

The Hempsted Houses in New London will open for the 2009 season on Saturday.

The houses, built in 1678, are used to educate visitors about 17th century life as documented by the homes' owner, a slave-owning rope maker and merchant. Activities for children show how kids lived in the 18th century, complete with period games.

The houses are open on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students, teachers and seniors, $4 for children (ages 6 through 18). Children younger than 6 and Connecticut Landmarks members are free. The Hempsted Houses are at 11 Hempsted St., New London. Information: www.ctlandmarks.org or call 860-443-7949.

The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, near Bradley International Airport, has opened KidsPort, an interactive exhibit designed for children ages 5 through 12. KidsPort describes airplane flight, terminal and plane maintenance and air traffic control. Exhibits are in English or Spanish.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $5 children (ages 4 through 11), $9 seniors (ages 65 and older). Admission is free for children younger than 3. The museum is at 36 Perimeter Road. Information: www.neam.org or call 860-623-3305.

*To view more Memorial Day event listings visit courant.com/memorialdayevents. To view and send us your photos of Memorial Day events visit courant.com/memorialdaypix.